Rotary card index



May 18, 1948, G. c. BRUEN ET AL 2,441,684

ROTARY CARD INDEX Filed Match 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Georg C. Bnucn r Karl HMiller 93,4, P1 5 %me Patented Ma 18, i948 UNITE-D PATENT ore ,1:

' -2,44-1gss4 I it'orli'iw CARD INDEX George1'-C;=-Bruen,Ghicago, 111.,2 andKai-l:

North Canton, @hio, assignors corporated, Canton, Ohio, a

Ohio

to :Diebold In: corporation of Application March 15, 1944; Se'1iiil No;"526-, 532

The invention relates generally to rotary card indexes wherein card's are rnounted more or less radially on a Wheel having a circular rail; or circular rail segments, with an enlarged head bymeans of keyhole-shaped slots in the bottom edges'of the cards. 4

More partic1ilarly, the invention provernen'ts in the wheel construction, "the pull ring for the wheel and the bearings for the wheel of rotary indexes such as shown in the-prior Bruen -P'atents Nos-2368323 and 2335, 736.

In the constructions of 'said prior Bruen patents limitations are imposed upon the size or width of card'that may be mounted on the rail. In the first, the side fl'anges on the wheel prevent wider "cards than will fit'between the side flanges from being mounted "on the wheel. In the second, cards wider than substantially the width of cardss'hownthereingmay twist or angle out oi proper position laterally of the rail :and across the wheel face to such anextent as ;to become disengaged from the rail. Inthe latter instance, the undesirable angling or twisting may occur because of the :short length of the permanent end stop on one end o'f- .each rail segmerit. The functions ofthese end-stops are 'to divide the cards into sections on the'wheel, and also :to form a card: stop :for the segment'transformed when transferring the segment '-fr0m a wheel to a tray or vice-versa. M

Moreover, in the constructions of each of-saidprior patents, when a rail "segment is removed forany'purposaeand if the'wheelis then rotated,- cards on one of the rail se'gments adjacent the space left by the segment removed may fall off, of the exposed or open endaof the rail segment on the Wheel, thereby causingia disturbance in the continuity of record cards-onthe wheel,

7 Another difiiculty sometimes encountered .in the operation "and use of rotary :indexes such as shown in" said vprior patents, ism-that sometimes considerable time is consumed .in locating the first, primary or initial cards of the groups of cards carried by the Wheel.

r-Also,- difiiculties have been encountered in the assembly of the wheel-in a 'caserorcabinet with a cover where the cover rotates on-substantially the sameaxis asthatof the wheel.

Accordingly, it'is an'objectmf the presentinvention to provide a wheel construction for a rotary card index 'hichavoids-or eliminatesthe described diificulties :sometimes encountered in usingsaidipriorconstructions.

Also, it is an object of 'therpresent invention to provide an improvedwheel construction nor relates to im- 3 Claims. (01. lee-1o a rotary card index,

of such :rail' 2 which, in cooperation with. circular trail segments -.carri'ed' by the wheel; :permits ta wide'rangeiofawidthroficardsito'be mounted on the ='rai1:se'gments and yet prevents zangling,

;. tilting or twisting .of the cards, regardless of .ilaterally 'o'f :the teams from (the width, :across the wheel zface or rail, sufficient to dislodge the rail. v

Moreover, Pitflis zan obj ect. of the :present invention to provide the :smoothswbstantially cylindricalac-ard' :indeX wheel surface 201']. which ecards rest thati areinountedxonwcircular rail segments removably= carried by the wheel; 'with: a, projecting ear laterally opposite each :end of the integral stopgoripartition member fformed-at one=endiof each rail segment, for preventing twisting of cards; particularlyiof the-largerwidths.

:Also it is9an-object=of the gpr'esent invention to provide an improved wheel 'construction for :a rotary card index haying removable cireular card carrying rail-segments, .in whichcards will not ran: off of any rail segment 'on the wheel when one or more rail segments are; removed --from the wheel, irrespective of the position :or movement of "therwheel and of :theilocati'on of any-space -ron thewheel left=byeariy removed rail segment;

"Moreover, it is an object of the present -inven-, tion to provide a card index wheel surface on which rc'ards rest :that are mounted 'on circular rail segments removably "carried -.b-y the wheel, with ears :projecting laterally =opposite eachdivision point between adjacent ends of adjacent rail :segments, for preventing cards on any arail segment rnounted, on the wheel from -falling ofi segment upon removal "of any adjacent rail segment from the :wheel, irrespective of the position of or :movementof' the wheel.

Also, it is "an'obje'ctcf the present invention to lprovide' me'a'ns visible :to the eye or arresting to the :touch of :the, operator :to indicate; at the briefest glance-or :u-pon rotation of the wheel without referenceato the =Lcards carried thereby, the docatiori of thelfirst, primary or initial group of cardszthereon.

- Furthermore,- it 'is an -object of Ethe i present: in-

vention to provide a pull ring constructionlfOr the =wheelof "a, rotary card :index in whichthe pullring may be formedof anextruded tube-of thermoplasticmaterialwith a joint -and innwhlch the oining means also provides an eye or touch signal :-indicating the :location of the primary group: of oardsionfthe wheel. v

:Moreover, it is an object of -.the ,tpresent?inven-' tion :to gprovide improved bearing 5 EGIIStBllG-f: tionfor awheelmemberof arotary index-housed 3 in a cabinet with a rotary cover rotatable about the wheel axis in which the bearings and mounting for the wheel and cover are interrelated but independently adjustable for facilitating individual alignment of the wheel and cover in assembling the rotary index.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to generally improve the construction, flexibility and operation of a rotary card index.

These and other objects may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described difliculties overcome, by the devices, constructions,

arrangements, improvements, combinations, parts and elements which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, preferred embodiments of which are set forth in the following descriptions and are shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements in rotary card indexes of the present invention may be stated in general terms as preferably including in a card filing device, a wheel having a substantially cylindrical outer surface upon which the lower edges of cards mounted on the wheel may rest; a plurality of rail segments removably mounted on the wheel each comprising a head, a flange, and a partition, divider or stop member at one end of the head and flange and forming a, substantially continuous circular rail on the wheel arranged to receive a multiplicity of cards having keyhole-shaped slots at their lower edges; ears projecting from the wheel surface laterally opposite each end of the divider member of each rail segment; a pull ring associated with the wheel preferably formed of tubular thermoplastic material with a joint therein of specially colored material and preferably of slightly different shape in cross section than the remainder of the pull ring; a cabinet within which the wheel is mounted having a rotatable cover; means mounting the cover and wheel within the cabinet on substantially the same axis; and said mounting means being relatively adjustable whereby the Wheel and cover may be individually aligned during assembly thereof.

By way of example, preferred embodiments of the improved construction are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section of a rotary index of the type shown in Bruen Patent No. 2,235,736,

but illustrating the improved wheel construction of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view looking down on the top of the wheel shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View of the wheel shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with cards removed;

Fig. 4 is a section through the joint at the pull ring taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 1, illustrating the bearing construction; and

Fig. 6 is a section through a modified type of pull ring.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a card mounting wheel I!) of a type shown in Bruen Patent No. 2,235,736 preferably comprising two halves I i and Ila forming a hub l2, spokes l3 and a smooth, substantially cylindric'al surface M on which cards rest that are mounted on the wheel. The wheel halves II nd parts Ila are preferably bolted together by bolts 15 and may also be secured together by the end portions l6 of L-shaped rods I! on which the pull ring 18 is mounted.

The edges of the rim portions of the wheel halves ii and lid are spaced apart at [9 to form an annular slot 23 for receiving the flanges 2| of rail segments or sections 22. Each rail segment 22 preferably comprises the flange 2|, an enlarged head 23, and an integral stop or partition member 24 formed at one end thereof.

Each rail segment 22 is provided with slots (not shown) adapted to engage the rods l6 and looking latches (not shown) for detachably mounting the rail segments 22 on the Wheel Ill, as shown in said Patent No. 2,235,736. Thus, when the rail segments 22 are all mounted on the wheel l0, they form a substantially continuous circular rail on the wheel.

A plurality of cards 25 having keyhole-shaped slots 25a at their lower edges may be removably mounted on the rail segments 22, as well shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and the bottom edges of the cards rest on the smooth, substantially cylindrical card index wheel surface l4 when the cards are at the top of the wheel. Of course the cards at the bottom of the wheel hang from the rail flange and head 2| and 23 by the keyhole-shaped slots 25a.

A function of the steps 24 on each rail segment is to limit the shifting of the cards 25 to a relatively short arcuate space around the wheel l0; and furthermore to provide a stop or retaining member for holding the cards 25 on the rail 22 when the rail segment with cards thereon is removed from the wheel Ill for being transferred to a desk tray or the like.

For many reasons, the stop member 24 should have the approximate shape, size and length shown. However, the stop member 24 of such length is not suflicient to prevent angling or twisting or tilting of the cards substantially out of a normal position transverse of the rail 23 and across the wheel surface l4, when very wide cards are mounted on the wheel.

Thus, referring to Fig. 2, the normal position of the cards in this figure is vertical at substantially right angles to the rail 23 and if these cards are angled to a substantial degree out of vertical, they may twist off or become dislodged from the rail head 23. When the cards 25 have a width of up to the approximate width of thewheel sur face M, the end stops 24 prevent too much angling. However, it is frequently desirable to use cards on a rotary index having a wide range of widths such as the cards 25 shown that overhang the edges of the wheel.

In order to prevent undesirable angling of such wide cards, we have provided, in accordance with the present improvements, a series of ears 26 projecting outwardly of the wheel surface l4, one ear opposite each end of each segment stop portion 24. The ears 26 in cooperation with the stop members 24, prevent any substantial twisting or angling of wide cards 25 sufficient to permit dislodgment of the cards from the rail head 23.

Thus, the smooth substantially cylindrical surface M or the wheel l0 permits cards of any width to be mounted on the wheel, and the cars 26 prevent undesirable angling of the cards. Even wider cards than those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be mounted on the wheel by increasing the width of the cabinet and by spacing the pull ring l8 further from the wheel edge.

Moreover, the ears 26 opposite each end of each segment stopz portionszin rsalsoilocatedzat zeazchz sidesubstantiallybpposite the: junction between: adjacenizrafilisegments and therefore aisozfunction. as a stop for the end of any.- railfse'gment... v'I'husg. referring: tor-Eig'a 3; an entire railsegmentz 22.1:with its-stopis shownat: the left ofthe view: and? a: portion of? another :rail segment 22 with. its .stop fislatitheileft end-thereof) is shownat the right:

then-view.- Whenrthe rail segment 22. atzthe. night. of Fig.- 3: is removed fromthezwheehthe: openend'of the adjacentrailfsegmentiat thesjuncr- 1 tionzbetweenadi acenti seg-m'e ts at .the? left: 011 i; 3 is: exposed, and-any. cards on suchasegment; on; rotation oftthewheel wouldfall offi of the sege mentzz except thatitheitwo. ears 2:8 at the: right: of Fig. 3, and opposite thajunction between the adjacent railisegmentsreferred to, prevent the cards fromiallihgofi of the-railsegment still mounted on the wheel. v

Thus, the ears zfi'not only-function to keep the, cards; from. twisting off of theirail segments, ,but also to retain cards on rail segments on the wheel when one or more rail segments are removed from the wheel.

In accordance with the present invention, the. Quilting: Mr is preferably formed" of a tuberl'Ba (Fig: 4") of extruded thermoplasticmaterial; In forming thering l8 from suchltube wag-another tubular member I8!) is telescoped. Within theopen ends' Hie of the tube [8a to secure the ends-torgether and-form a ringshape. r

In so: forming the. pullv ring, a; bead; 18d: of thermoplastic material of a different color than the material of tube IBa is interposed between the ends I8c. The bead 1811 has a lightly enlarged cross section as shown. The pull ring [8a may be white and the material of the bead I8d may be blue or red or black or some other color contrasting with the color of the pull ring so as to provide a visible signal to the eye. The slightly different cross sectionalshape of the bead I8d likewise provides an arresting signal to the touch of the operator in turning the wheel H] by pulling along the pull ring is.

In arranging the cards 25 on the wheel, the group of A cards or No. 1 cards or the initial or primary group of cards arranged On the wheel, may be located opposite the signal means I8d so that the operator, at the briefest glance, or upon rotation of the wheel without reference to the cards carried there y, may quickly turn the wheel to the location of the first or primary or initial group of cards thereon. This saves considerable time in the continuous operation and use of rotary card indexes.

Accordingly, the improved pull ring construction provides an inexpensive way to make a satisfactory pull ring from tubular thermoplastic material without the difficulty of making an accurate and smooth joint; and the joint of slightly different shape and of diiferent contrasting color serves as the, initial index for the wheel.

Furthermore, the pull ring may be formed in its outer surface with a very shallow recessed slot l8e (Fig. 6) if desired, for receiving flexed paper index indicators if for further indexing the cards 25 carried by the wheel in.

The hub l 2 of the wheel 10 is secured to an axle 21, preferably by screws 28. The wheel I may be housed in a cabinet having side walls 29 and a rotatable cover member 30. In accordance with the present improvements, a disc bearing 3| having a reduced boss 32, is mounted in a recess 33 in each side wall 29 so that the boss 32 forms a bearing for rotatably mounting the'cover 30. In

aligrLami'locate-the; cover;

I A fiat plateBdlwithatop crossbarandxa: U-shapedhanger Sesecured to the cross bar- 35:

by: screws 3.1, forms a support, ,bearingand. hanger.

for: each. end: 38. of the wheelv axle 21, wherebythe: wheel is mounted within. the cabinet.v The plates 34: are adjusted members.=3:l but.,alsorthe cabinet sidewalls-2.9.

With-this improved:construction,,a very-inexpensivetbearing andmounting is .formed forboth= the wheel to and the rotatable: cover 3 .1, so'that.

they may rotate. about substantially theHsame axis while permitting individual; adjustment. and; and cover 30: when.

on which cards-oi a great range of widthszmaybemounted; provides a rotary index with; si al means visible tothe eye'onarresting to the touch; thefor indicating the primary. group of cards on wheel; and provides a simplified bearing construction for readily assembling a rotary card index wheel and a cover therefor in a cabinet for the same.

The embodiments of the present improvements illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction of the various parts. When the term rail is used herein and in the appended claims, that term is used in its broadest sense, irrespective of the character of its cross section.

Having now described the features of the invention, the construction, operation and use of embodiments thereof, and the advantageous, new and useful results attained by the improved construction; the new and useful parts, elements, combinations, improvements, constructions and devices, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a rotary card index, a rotatably mounted wheel-like support having a smooth, substantially cylindrical card index wheel surface on which cards rest, a plurality of circular rail segments removably carried by the wheel; each rail segment comprising a flange, a head and a partition secured to and formed at one end thereof; and an ear secured to the wheel and projecting from the wheel laterally opposite each end of each partition.

2. In a rotary card index, a rotatably mounted wheel-like support having a substantially cylin-,

drical outer surface upon which the lower edges of cards mounted on the wheel may rest; a plurality of rail segments removably mounted on the wheel, each comprising a head, a flange, and a partition member secured to and extending laterally of the head at one end of the segment; said segments when assembled on the wheel forming a substantially continuous circular rail arranged to receive a multiplicity of cards having keyholeshaped slots at their lower edges; and an ear to properly'align the wheel 510;. and-"are. thenv secured; by-screws ,39I0ii1h8: discmembers: Szt; The screwsiilrmay, be and preferably. are. long enoughto engage not. only the-disoofarotarycard index of-the type shown seeured to the wheel and projecting from the wheel surface laterally opposite each end of the partition member of each rail segment.

3. In a rotary card index, a rail comprising a head and flange constructed and arranged to receive a multiplicity of cards having keyholeshaped slots at their lower edges, saidrail including a, plurality of removable rail segments arranged end to end with a junction between adjacent rail segments, each rail having a lateral stop secured thereto at one end thereof, a wheel on which the rail segments are mounted having a substantially cylindrical smooth card supporting wall associated with the rail, and an ear secured to the wheel and projecting outwardly of said wall on each side of the rail substantially opposite each junction.

4. In a rotary card index, a rotatably mounted wheel-like'support having a smooth card index wheel surface on which cards rest, a plurality of rail segments each having an integral stop at one end thereof and arranged end to end on and removably carried by the wheel, and an ear secured to the wheel and projecting from the wheel on each side of the rail substantially opposite each junction between adjacent rail segments.

5. In a rotary card index, a rotatably mounted wheel-like support having a surface on which cards rest, a plurality of rail segments each having an integral stop at one end thereof and arranged end to end on and removably carried by the wheel, and means secured to and projecting head, and means secured to and" projecting from the wheel laterally of each junction between adjacent rail segments for retaining cards on any rail segment on the wheel when'an adjacent rail segment is removed from the wheel. GEORGE C. BRUEN. KARL H. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 I Date Number Name 1,030,691 Trenton June 25, 1912 1,143,073 Ryley June 15, 1915 1,232,096 Schmidt July 3, 1917 1,270,934 Fergusson July 2, 1918 1,419,656 Wood June 13, 1922 1,976,249 Stafiord Oct. 9, 1934 2.235 736 Bruen Mar. 18, 1941 

